Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — The United States has approved weapons sales to South
Sudan.

President Barack Obama has directed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
to enable U.S. defense and security exports to South Sudan. The presidential
memorandum said South Sudan would be eligible to receive defense articles
and services under the Foreign Assistance Act.

“By the authority vested in me as president by the constitution and the
laws of the United States, including section 503[a] of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, and section 3[a][1] of the Arms Export
Control Act, as amended, I hereby find that the furnishing of defense
articles and defense services to the republic of South Sudan will strengthen
the security of the United States and promote world peace,” Obama said in
the directive on Jan. 6.

Officials said Washington has been discussing a range of military
exports to South Sudan. They said the new government in Juba has sought to
procure air defense systems and other equipment to protect against air
attacks by the northern republic of Sudan.

“You are authorized and directed to transmit this determination to the
Congress and to arrange for the publication of this determination in the
Federal Register,” the memorandum to Ms. Clinton said.

In late 2011, the Obama administration approved U.S. projects to aid
South Sudan’s energy sector. The approval did not include help for
Khartoum’s pipeline, which has been transporting South Sudanese oil for
export.

The memorandum for U.S. defense exports was issued amid rising tension
between Juba and Khartoum. Officials said the administration was preparing
for the outbreak of war between Sudan and the south, which seceded in July
2011. Khartoum is said to have a much stronger military, which included
Russian-origin MiG-29 fighter-jets Mi-24 attack helicopters and combat
vehicles.

  Arms Export Control Act, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Juba, Khartoum, Obama approves defense exports to South Sudan